Pokemon Card Investment Craze Grows as Magikarp Promo Trades Near 300,000 Won

Pokemon’s 30th anniversary momentum is spreading across the retail industry. According to industry sources on the 15th, more than 140,000 people gathered on the 1st around Seongsu-dong and Seoul Forest in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, for ‘Pokemon Mega Festa 2026.’ Pokemon Korea planned to hand out a ‘Magikarp promo card,’ but crowds formed from early morning, police moved in to control the site, and the event was ultimately canceled. Soon after on-site distribution stopped, the 30th-anniversary Magikarp promo card began trading for around 300,000 won in secondhand markets, with some asking prices topping 500,000 won. Scarcity quickly turned fandom spending into resale demand. Convenience stores, resale platforms and e-commerce companies are accelerating efforts to attract MZ-generation adult consumers through character IP such as Pokemon. Source: rss.donga.com